Whitefield to teach University of Greenwich's Foundation Degree in Supporting Teaching and Learning

A new collaboration between Whitefield Research & Development Centre and the University of Greenwich is bringing the University’s Foundation Degree in Supporting Teaching and Learning to East London for the first time.

The two-year course is designed for anyone in the field, whether they are working in the classroom, as learning support assistant, teaching assistant or volunteer or working in a related role, such as a learning mentor or in other ancillary roles. The Foundation Degree lets these practitioners build on their existing experience in education, and study while they work to gain professional skills that further their career. An additional, optional third year converts the Foundation Degree into a complete BA degree.

The course is being taught by Whitefield at its campus in Walthamstow and is suitable for anyone interested in either main stream or special needs education. Whitefield has a long tradition of teaching degree courses and the new course complements its existing Foundation Degree in Early Years education, taught in partnership with Kingston University.

Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 lock-down, recruitment for the courses, which begin in September, is continuing as normal, with interviews taking place by video, if necessary. Whitefield is well equipped to teach foundation degree students either remotely or on-site, so candidates can be confident that the courses will be going ahead, no matter what the future holds.

Anne Drury, Head of Whitefield’s Research and Development Centre said, “We are delighted to welcome Greenwich University as a new partner. Their well-established Foundation Degree in Supporting Teaching and Learning balanced with our strengths and wide expertise in supporting the education of those pupils with special needs provides a unique offer across East London. This is the perfect time for those interested in a degree to grasp the opportunity of taking their career to the next stage by developing their knowledge and skills.

Greenwich University’s Marisa Bartoli said that the University had been attracted to Whitefield by a number of factors, including “The vast experience, dedication, commitment and high expectations of the programme leader, the high level of administrative support available and the excellent staff-student relationship as evidenced by the confidence and enthusiasm of past and present foundation degree students that we interviewed”.

Recruitment for Foundation Degrees at Whitefield is ongoing. Interested, prospective candidates can find information here: https://www.whitefield.org.uk/degrees where they can also find contact information if they would like an informal chat.